Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' Net Zero strategy to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up nearly 5,000 charging points at and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

Health chiefs have refused to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, but official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances picking up passengers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency automobiles for paramedics, consisting of 2 vehicles, 16 action vans and three motorcycles.

The newest electrical ambulances have a range of as much as 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural areas typically take a trip further in a shift.

Latest figures show the typical action time in England for the most lethal 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to meet their action targets. With these challenges it is absurd to sidetrack NHS workers from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service released the first fully electrical emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' strategy to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and expense are entering into purchasing electrical automobiles and constructing chargers - a lot of which will never ever be installed - instead of enhancing reaction times.

'A lot more worrying is the challenge of upgrading the grid in time to fulfill the additional demand.

'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with stunning results for patients and taxpayers.'

England's very first electric ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be used in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest factor in our transfer to electric - having the range to run in areas where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electrical ambulances since 2023, but has actually not utilized them to carry passengers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: 'New electrical ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

The NHS stated: 'It is right we look for sustainable options when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel expenses.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS